Girls powerlifting grows in popularity

By Kendrick E. Johnson

Published 2:00 am, Monday, June 30, 2014

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Courtney Price, 16, standing, helps Lauren Groom, 14, guide a barbell back into a resting position on a bench during a workout Tuesday. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
Photo taken Tuesday 6/24/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Courtney Price, 16, standing, helps Lauren Groom, 14, guide a barbell back into a resting position on a bench during a workout Tuesday. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange ... more

Mike Denmon, right, directs young lifters into place for a round of exercises Tuesday night. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
Photo taken Tuesday 6/24/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Mike Denmon, right, directs young lifters into place for a round of exercises Tuesday night. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
Photo taken Tuesday ... more

Audrey LeBlanc, 15, left, and other young powerlifters train at different stations Tuesday night. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
Photo taken Tuesday 6/24/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Audrey LeBlanc, 15, left, and other young powerlifters train at different stations Tuesday night. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
Photo taken ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Daniel Killian, 16, strains while working on a machine during training Tuesday night. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
Photo taken Tuesday 6/24/14
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Daniel Killian, 16, strains while working on a machine during training Tuesday night. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
Photo taken Tuesday 6/24/14 ... more

Jeremiah Armstrong, 14, sticks his tongue out as he works on a machine during training Tuesday night. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
Photo taken Tuesday 6/24/14
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Jeremiah Armstrong, 14, sticks his tongue out as he works on a machine during training Tuesday night. Young powerlifters exercised at Mike Denmon's Cross Trainers gym in Orange on Tuesday evening.
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Photo: Jake Daniels

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Girls powerlifting grows in popularity

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More and more girls across Southeast Texas are working harder at increasing their overall weight lifting totals these days instead of worrying about their position on the pyramid.

With state champions coming from Buna, Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Nederland, Silsbee and Vidor at this year's girl's state powerlifting meet, Southeast Texas is turning into a hotbed for girls powerlifting.

"Weightlifting in Southeast Texas probably started taking off here about eight years ago," weightlifting instructor Mike Denmon said. "Today more girls are coming to my gym because they realize it can help them get better in their respective sports. Then once they get here, the personal competition they thrive off of in challenging themselves against others kicks in."

Buna's Crystal Ballin is a good example of a young lifter accepting that challenge.

After putting up only 750 pounds of total weight her junior year to finish second at state by five pounds, she worked out every day for the last year to put up 915 pounds of total weight her senior year and win her first state championship.

"After losing on the last lift at state last year I committed to doing whatever it takes to win and not have that feeling this year," Ballin said. "To eat right, work hard and comeback this year and not be afraid of any weight while winning state is better than any feeling I could get from a team sport."

Most of the stars from Southeast Texas were recruited by friends to try powerlifting as freshmen. It didn't take long for them to embrace the sport.

"I tried it my freshman year after my friends talked me into it and fell in love with it after giving it a try," LC-M junior lifter Courtney Price said.

"Once I get my friends in the gym I teach them to do the basics of powerlifting," Nederland champion Makaley Harper said. "When the basics become habit the girls notice their weight totals jump and they become excited and want to work harder at something they did not think they could be good at."

Many have to get past the sport's misconceptions before fully embracing competition.

"When they first get into the gym they think they are going to get big and bulky and I simply tell them we are just going to tone up what you got," West Brook powerlifting coach Norman Abshere said. "Once they realize they can look good and healthy while competing against girls their own size they start having fun with it and loving it."

With girls from Southeast Texas consistently bringing home more gold medals from the state meet than the boys, many people are now taking a positive look at a sport which at one time was frowned upon and even laughed at.

"People are now more supportive because they see how hard girls are working at powerlifting and competing at a high level," Ballin said. "While just two years ago I was the only girl from my school to go to state and the excitement was very low."